Electro-mechanical engineering news incl. plastic injection molding/moulding, stamped & formed metal components, design for manufacture, press & mould tool design, assembly services, new product releases, HBC Engineering Solutions UK... Wed, 27 Jun 2007 15:00:00 GMT mark@pilotdesign.net http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/index.htm en-gb Wed, 27 Jun 2007 15:00:00 GMT Plastics Industry Award winners for the 2007 Processor of the Year category are HBC Engineering Solutions Ltd. It is a landmark year for them particularly after coming a close second in the category for four consecutive years. It is certainly a welcome acknowledgement for all the hard work, investment and shear determination of recent years. Judges will have been impressed by HBC's increased manufacturing output and reduced labour costs as well as shift improvements, 99.9% stock accuracy, a 20% productivity gain, 98% of promised delivery times being adhered to, and a quality gain where HBC's target of only 150 faulty parts per million was actually improved to an actual 92 ppm. Amongst the other factors appreciated by the judging panel were HBC's commitment to continuous improvement and the business's growth since the management buy-out just a few years ago. HBC's business plan had required that it raise its gross profit to 20% in 2006 and, despite the continual and unwelcome rise in polymer costs during the period, this was still achieved. Over £1 million in operational overheads were saved during the year while at the same time quality was further improved, labour and material costs were tightly managed, stock control and waste levels were optimised and overall delivery became even further improved. Focus for the company will continue to be on quality, cost, delivery and safety ... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/plastics-industry-awards-processor-year-2007.htm Tue, 22 Aug 2006 17:20:00 GMT Here you can view a variety of video clips from the HBC Business Showreel, giving you an inside look at the workings of the various departments. HBC provide a wide and versatile range of services for any manufacturing project, from design to assembly in a single UK location. Videos to view are Corporate, Design, Engineering, Formed Metal, Plastics and Assembly. Enjoy! ... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/media_zone.htm Tue, 22 Aug 2006 17:05:00 GMT The testing and optimising of tooling prior to full-scale manufacture will ensure that potential problems are rectified at an incredibly early stage, with trouble free transfer of tools and components through to final production, with optimised lead times, quality and cost savings. Service levels for customers are thus at a peak level ... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/engineering_product.tool.optimisation.htm Tue, 22 Aug 2006 14:58:00 GMT Good project management within an engineering company will ease the stress of outsourcing enormously. Management of a project from concept to delivery, with a dedicated project manager and the employment of every feature of technology available, will pay dividends in terms of cost and time involved. HBC is one such engineering company who will optimise time and resources for the benefit, above all, of their customers ... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/engineering_project.management.htm Thu, 06 Jul 2006 15:25:00 GMT HBC's in-house plant list includes the following: Billion injection moulding machine; Demag NC4 Injection Moulding Machines (35 to 150 Ton machines), Negri Bossi Injection moulding machines (110 Ton), Boy injection moulding machine (25 Ton), Engel Tie-Barless injection moulding machine (25 Ton) ... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/manufacture_injection.moulding_plant.equipment.htm Thu, 06 Jul 2006 15:20:00 GMT HBC offers a good number of extra services which deliver value to clients: ultrasonic welding, pad printing, machining, surface treatment, and specific packaging. Click the link for much more information and detail ... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/manufacture_value.added.process.htm Thu, 06 Jul 2006 15:17:00 GMT HBC's unique project management culture is designed specifically to ease the stresses of outsourcing for their customers. They manage projects from conception to delivery, and a dedicated project manager will be a customer's point of contact througout every stage in production ... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/design_project.management.htm Thu, 06 Jul 2006 15:15:00 GMT HBC's in-house capability extends to moulding components from thermoset and thermoplastic materials in medium to high volume. The British Polymer Training Association trains all machine operators. Some previous customer requirements have led HBC to design and engineer their own purpose built machine tools so as to manufacture specialist components such as in insert moulding. HBC's focus is on customer relationships and first class management. Specialist areas include Metal Insert Moulding and Twin Shot ... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/manufacture_injection.moulding.htm Thu, 06 Jul 2006 15:00:00 GMT The automated assembly services offered by HBC Engineering Solutions are the very best, cutting edge, services available. With the latest feed technology and photographic imaging, specific customer component assembly processes can be vastly improved with robotic technology... For those component assemblies not suited to automation, our skilled assembly staff operate under careful management to set quotas and budgets so that incentives and product quality are maintained. Manual assembly services extend worldwide ... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/assembly_component.htm Thu, 06 Jul 2006 14:54:00 GMT HBC's Electromechanical Assembly Service (EMAS) will be a benefit to manufacturers of products comprising electrical and mechanical components. EMAS integrates these components into an electromechanical subassembly. HBC customises enclosures, fits mounting rails, terminals and electrical components, assembles and fits cable harnesses and affixes all indicators, switches and labelling. The full subassembly is tested according to the client's specification. Costs are reduced, overhead is reduced, quality is increased ... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/assembly_electro.mechanical.htm Thu, 29 Jun 2006 11:42:00 GMT A good supply chain management process will link, integrate and optimise the flow of goods from suppliers, through production, to the end customer. Supply chain management is a growth area within business today. A good order management procedure will ensure the appropriate balance of supply and demand to satisfy customer demand. The system will include procedures which cover quality, traceability and management accountability in accordance with Quality Accreditation such as ISO 9001:2000. Click the link for more information ... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/manufacture_supply.chain.management.htm Thu, 29 Jun 2006 11:34:00 GMT One of the first companies in the UK to be accredited with BS EN ISO 9001:2000 was HBC Engineering Solutions of Kent. That was way back in January 2001. In 2002 they were also awarded the British Safety Council Five Star Award. By continually questioning and enhancing the mechanisms which deliver products to customers, they are a shining example of a thriving business which produces high quality electromechanical products which simply speak for themselves. They also regard environmental issues as a core management task, exceeding statutory legislation requirements in many areas. Click the link for more information ... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/company.info_quality.environment.htm Thu, 29 Jun 2006 11:11:00 GMT Fastool is a three year collaborative research initiative supported by the European Commission. The aim is to develop technical solutions for improving the productivity and competitiveness of European mould toolmakers, through advances in knowledge-based NC programming, automation and lean manufacturing. Fastool also aims to improve the career appeal of toolmaking to a new generation of engineers. Click the link for more information ... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/company.info_news.htm# Wed, 28 Jun 2006 13:49:00 GMT Using the very latest CNC technology HBC design and manufacture tooling of the highest quality. HBC have skilled operators and an infrastructure which ensures the accuracy of each tool is maintained during all stages, from concept to final use, so that the tool peforms to specification, for life. HBC specialise in both Mould tools and Press tools. Click the link for more information ... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/engineering_press.mould.tools.htm Wed, 28 Jun 2006 13:44:00 GMT HBC provides global engineering solutions to selected OEMs of electro-mechanical components. For decades their factory manufactured products for just one customer but in recent years they have opened their doors to offer exceptional services worldwide. They have harnessed the global demand for a reliable, cost efficient supplier of stamped and formed metal components . Click the link for more information ... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/manufacture_metal.components.htm Wed, 28 Jun 2006 12:28:00 GMT At HBC product and tool design and development are integrated together to offer a fast, fluid, turnaround for projects. HBC use CAD/CAM design tools such as Catia V5 and Solidworks, with testing and analysis being performed tools such as Moldflow. This allows HBC to gather much-needed detail about the product and its manufacturing process before a tool is even produced. This approach is used in all design projects for formed metal components and injection moulded plastic parts, and allows for rapid prototype production. Click the link for more info or to view our online video showreel ... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/design.htm Wed, 28 Jun 2006 13:15:00 GMT Looking to outsource or sub-contract engineering, toolmaking and injection moulding in China, the Far East, Eastern Europe, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore or Hong Kong? HBC Engineering Solutions can help. We have our own 75,000 square foot engineering complex in the UK as well as a Chinese, Far Eastern and Eastern European project management service for all your tooling needs. Get the best of both worlds! Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong ... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/myhome.htm Wed, 28 Jun 2006 12:45:00 GMT Manufacturing of plastic injection and stamped or formed metal parts, components and products is HBC Engineering’s forte. Controlled all in-house under a unique project management culture, the result is highest quality, cost-effective products, fast, whether using our in-house press tools or existing or refurbished tooling. For more information please click the link ... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/manufacture.htm Wed, 28 Jun 2006 12:35:00 GMT Recent multi-million pound investments at HBC Engineering include the latest robotic technology which utilises camera visioning systems. Inexpensive manual assembly is also available under the control of very experienced management teams. For more information please click the link ... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/assembly.htm Wed, 28 Jun 2006 12:28:00 GMT Engineering services from HBC. This page outlines the design and manufacture of tooling, whether in Europe, the Far East or in-house in their huge Kent facility. The benefit for customers is that the highest grade of tooling can be supplied to suit various budgets and briefs. Short notice tooling solutions are available as are prototyping tooling for both plastic injection mould tools and metal formed press tools. For more information please click the link ... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/engineering.htm Tue, 27 Jun 2006 17:26:00 GMT As part of a new customer introduction, HBC Engineering Solutions have invested in a new Moulding machine; The Engel 750/150 Power. This machine was chosen because of key criteria including four hydraulic core pullers which are independent and sequential; tie-bar-less technology, which enables us to optimise tool sizes; a 750 x 750 platten; and finally extended guarding to accommodate tools and accessories up to 1.2m wide. For more information please click the link ... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/company.info_news.htm Tue, 27 Jun 2006 16:46:00 GMT HBC Engineering Solutions, in Kent, has become RoHS compliant well ahead of time. As part of their ISO 14001 accreditation, they are already RoHS compliant well ahead of the 1st July 2006 deadline. Read on by clicking the link ... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/company.info_news.htm Tue, 27 Jun 2006 16:44:00 GMT With the help of a UK engineering company, an inventor has transformed his product concept into a manufactured product. A novel two-piece door safety device has been developed to prevent fingers being shut in the hinge side of doors. Nigel Hall invented the Olliedoo Wedgie, which is about to be launched onto the global market, with the help of HBC Engineering Solutions of Kent, UK, after an introduction to the company via The Institute of Directors. More information available at www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/company.info_news.htm http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/company.info_news.htm Mon, 26 Jun 2006 16:06:00 GMT Huge list of thermoplastics and thermoset materials, showing their definitions, properties and applications as used in the plastic injection moulding process. Click the link to go to highly detailed notes and descriptions. Information courtesy of HBC Engineering Solutions Ltd, Kent, UK ... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/manufacture_injection.moulding_materials.processed.htm Mon, 26 Jun 2006 15:48:00 GMT Plastic injection moulding explained. A background to polymers: thermoplastics & thermosets. Why thermoplastic elastomers are different. The Tg (glass transition temperature) explained. Click the link to go to highly detailed information on all this and more ... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/mydefault.htm#polymers Fri, 23 Jun 2006 12:10:00 GMT The process behind plastic injection molding: how custom molded parts are made. The injection process explained and terminology used. Click the link to read detailed information ... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/plastic_injection_molding_default.htm#custom_plastic_injection_molded_parts Fri, 19 May 2006 15:07:00 GMT Plastic injection molding is at the core of HBC's operation. After decades in the engineering business and with an engineering infrastructure and expertise unrivalled in the UK, we can offer extremely competitive and cost-effective solutions. Whether thermoset or thermoplastic, we are extremely unlikely to be beaten on price, quality or service and are frequently nominated in the annual Plastic Industry Awards as a finalist. So how do we do this? Click the link to read on ... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/plastic_injection_molding_default.htm Fri, 16 Sep 2005 18:01:00 GMT Agile manufacturing enterprises like HBC Engineering Solutions use technology, organisational approaches, systems and people in a manufacturing concept which truly belongs to the 21st century and which transcends existing methodology. Able to react to rapid change and respond to an increasingly unpredictable marketplace, HBC can produce what customers want, when and exactly how they want it, at a cost-effective price.... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/agile-manufacturing-production.htm Fri, 16 Sep 2005 18:01:00 GMT Looking to outsource or sub-contract engineering, toolmaking and injection moulding in China, the Far East, Eastern Europe, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore or Hong Kong? HBC Engineering Solutions can help. We have our own 75,000 square foot engineering complex in the UK as well as a Chinese, Far Eastern and Eastern European project management service for all your tooling needs. Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong ... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/myhome.htm Fri, 16 Sep 2005 18:01:00 GMT A modern injection moulding thermoset and thermoplastic moulding facility including hot runner, hot bush & conventional gating, 25 to 200 ton injection moulding machines, metal insert moulding, small batch to large volume capability, BPTA trained operators and machine setters... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/injection.htm Fri, 16 Sep 2005 18:01:00 GMT Production of stamped & pressed metal components for various industries using modern power presses to 63 tonnes, radial forming machines for strip or wire, secondary and in-line tapping facilities, tool monitoring & protection systems, small batch to large volume production... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/metalparts.htm Fri, 16 Sep 2005 18:01:00 GMT Engineering and mechanical design, research & development from idea to finished production, incl. Catia v5 CAD/CAM system, rapid prototypes, product testing. HBC have very short lead times... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/productdev.htm Fri, 16 Sep 2005 18:01:00 GMT Over 40 years of toolmaking, tool design and on site moulding facilities. Our designers can advise on the most efficient, cost effective tooling and production solution. Includes product design, rapid prototyping, tooling optimisation, production, mould tools, press tools etc. HBC Engineering Solutions, UK... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/engineeringsolutions.htm Fri, 16 Sep 2005 18:01:00 GMT We offer custom rail assembly, custom enclosure assembly, custom electro-mechanical assemblies, & a total solution. http://www.railassembly.com Fri, 16 Sep 2005 18:01:00 GMT Operating from our premises based in Sheerness, Kent, we have the latest technologies to design & manufacture electro-mechanical components, assemblies and parts, all under one roof. New product release... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/index.htm Fri, 16 Sep 2005 18:01:00 GMT Electro-plating & finishing services - 2 PLC controlled, multi-programmable plating lines, zinc, nickel & tin electro-plating, automatic de-greasing / cleaning machine, furnace / tempering oven for heat treatment, effluent treatment plant fully compliant with latest regulations ... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/electroplating.htm Fri, 16 Sep 2005 18:01:00 GMT HBC use Dassault Systemes Catia V5 for product design, tool design and CNC manufacture. We were an IBM beta tester for development of this superb software. The geometry from this eliminates errors and data duplication leading to trouble-free and fast design, tooling & production / manufacture of electro-mechanical tools, components & parts ... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/catiacadcam.htm Fri, 16 Sep 2005 18:01:00 GMT Good project management is key to successfully balancing between project lead time, project costs, product costs and product performance. At HBC Engineering Solutions we use the appropriate project management tools and techniques to ensure that your products are delivered within the agreed time schedule. We can integrate with your plans and processes to ensure the optimum performance ... http://www.hbcengineeringsolutions.com/projman.htm